Praise for J.T. Ellison's Novels

WHAT LIES BEHIND (SAMANTHA OWENS #4)

Starred Review from Booklist

Dr. Samantha Owens returns in another compelling thriller (following WHEN SHADOWS FALL, 2014). Ellison can make mundane story lines seem fresh, thanks to clever writing and the magnetism of Owens as a lead character. This time the forensic pathologist is asked to assist her friend, homicide detective Darren Fletcher, who initially thinks that the crime scene he’s examining showcases a murder/suicide. Owens investigates and realizes the area has been staged, and, with the discovery of vials of toxic materials, matters suddenly take an even more dangerous turn. Soon Owens and everyone she loves have become targets, and the only way out may be to make a connection between the killer and some cold cases on Owens’ desk. The novel is a genuine page-turner from the very beginning. Ellison clearly belongs in the top echelon of thriller writers who base their stories on forensics. Her recent collaboration with Catherine Coulter—THE LOST KEY, 2014—should help boost her profile, but readers should be encouraged to seek out the Owens novels. Don’t leave this one behind.

— Jeff Ayers

Romantic Times Top Pick!

Ellison just keeps getting better and better! This new addition to her Dr. Samantha Owens series further develops the ensemble of complex characters who play off each other nicely. This would make a fine beach read, except with the fast pace and thrills — the action all takes place in about 24 hours — you might never make it into the water. Minor plot threads and a brief appearance by Taylor Jackson (another Ellison protagonist) hint at more good stories to come.

After leaving her medical examiner position, Dr. Samantha Owens is teaching forensic medicine at Georgetown and working for the FBI. Sam wakes in the night to sirens and flashing lights; shortly after, homicide detective Darren Fletcher asks her to look at the crime scene. They discover a staged crime scene and vials of virulent diseases. One of the victims was an undercover FBI agent, assassins are taking out all of her recent contacts, and Sam and Fletcher are horrified to learn that a bioterrorist plot is imminent."

"Verdict: The fourth Samantha Owens novel moves from forensics to international bioterrorism, and the results are breathtaking! Thriller fanatics craving an action-packed novel of intrigue will be abundantly rewarded." -Library Journal

"Another fast-paced thriller from Ellison!" -Suspense Magazine

"Fans of Patricia Cornwell will appreciate Ellison’s brand of high intrigue paired with a medical- examiner slant . . . Ellison, whose national reputation has been growing for years, is sure to win more new fans and critical acclaim with her latest thriller." -Chapter 16

THE LOST KEY (Nicholas Drummond #2)

"Coulter and Ellison's suspenseful sequel to 2013's The Final Cut finds Nicholas Drummond, once a New Scotland Yard star, now an FBI agent based in New York City...The authors' sophisticated third-person narration smoothly propels the action to the exciting climax.” -Publishers Weekly

"A thriller packed with nonstop action, real-life name-dropping and enough cutting-edge science to make you wonder how much of it could be true.” -Kirkus Reviews

WHEN SHADOWS FALL (Samantha Owens #3)

"Exceptional character development distinguishes Thriller Award–winner Ellison’s third Samantha Owens novel (after 2012’s Edge of Black), the best yet in the series. When Sam, now head of Georgetown University Medical School’s forensic pathology department in Washington, D.C., receives a letter from a stranger named Timothy Savage asking her to solve his murder, she gets drawn back into her former career in law enforcement. Sam performs an autopsy on Savage, who recently died in Lynchburg, Va., and the examination shows he did not commit suicide, as the police ruled, but was indeed murdered. Meanwhile, Sam and her boyfriend, former Army Ranger Xander Whitfield, become embroiled in a search for a missing child whose disappearance may be related to Savage’s death. The suspense builds as Sam and Xander, aided by D.C. homicide detective Darren Fletcher, chase down a host of surprising leads. The author’s ability to neatly tie together the mysterious clues helps make this a standout in the romantic thriller subgenre." Agent: Scott Miller, Trident Media Group. (Mar.)

"What at first appears to be a suicide propels Dr. Samantha Owens into a case that will test her resolve and sanity in Ellison’s third novel to feature the forensic pathologist. It starts with Owens receiving a letter from the victim—posted before his death—asking her to solve his murder. She is also listed, it turns out, as one of the beneficiaries in the man’s will. Having no idea who he is or why he sought out her services, she reluctantly conducts an autopsy and discovers that the death was, in fact, murder. How did he know he was going to be killed? His secret will shock Owens and her colleagues to the core, forcing them to ask hard questions about themselves, their careers, and how something as infallible as DNA can produce the wrong results. The mystery only intensifies as the narrative unfolds, and it’s a guarantee that readers will not figure out all of the details before the end. Ellison has crafted a terrific thriller, and fans of forensic mysteries, such as those by Patricia Cornwell, should immediately add this series to their A-lists. Knowledge of the prior books is not necessary to enjoy this one." —Jeff Ayers

"Ellison excels at imaginative and terrifying plots, and this thriller is a fine example that sucks readers in at the beginning and spits them out at the end, emotionally drained. The latest Samantha Owens installment is a complex story with interwoven mysteries and a frightening conspiracy. Villains range from just greedy to truly evil.

After several years of tragedy and danger, forensic pathologist Samantha Owens has accepted a teaching position at Georgetown University in an effort to lead a calmer life. Her plan is shattered when she receives a letter from a dead man, Timothy Savage, asking her to solve his murder. Savage’s attorney is then murdered, and the killer is working his way down the list of Savage’s beneficiaries. Sam becomes involved with the FBI’s investigation of a missing girl and finds out Savage was an FBI agent who went undercover in a cult to rescue a young girl." (MIRA, Mar., 416 pp., $24.95) —Joyce Morgan

Dr. Samantha Owens is transitioning into her new job teaching and chairing the forensic pathology department at Georgetown University Medical School when she receives a cryptic letter from a stranger asking her to solve his murder. Hesitant to get involved in fieldwork after recently opting out of law enforcement, Sam ignores the request. When the dead man's will stipulates that Sam perform the autopsy, her curiosity is piqued. The autopsy indicates murder, catapulting Sam and those closest to her into an intense FBI case. In her five harrowing days on the case, Sam uncovers dangerous links among a missing FBI agent, cold-case child abductions, and a suspicious religious cult led by a charismatic female. VERDICT Ellison's third Samantha Owens installment (after A Deeper Darkness and Edge of Black) is a gripping page-turner. Skillfully seasoned with suspense, intrigue, adventure, and a dash of romance, it's essential for suspense junkies. Fans of Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta books may notice similarities but will find that Ellison puts her own unique spin on forensic investigation. —Mary Todd Chesnut, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights

"Ellison, yet again, offers up a story that goes from 0-to-60 in seconds.

Dr. Samantha Owens is working to set up her classroom for her new job as head of the Georgetown University Medical School’s Forensic Pathology Department in Washington, D.C. She is extremely happy about her new career and has no regrets about giving up a life in law enforcement.

While she’s going about her work, looking forward to the new path her life is taking, she receives an extremely odd letter. The letter is from a corpse who states that he’s dead and wants, more than anything, for Dr. Owens to solve his murder. In addition, the supposed victim is even more helpful by compiling a list of suspects for the doctor to look at, and setting aside some money in order to cover any expenses she has during the investigation. Downside? The corpse also states that Dr. Owens life will definitely be on the line if his killers find out she’s received this post-mortem letter.

Samantha doesn’t have a clue as to who Timothy Savage, the signer of the letter, is. What makes it even more confusing is when she’s approached by his lawyer and informed that Savage was not murdered at all; he is dead by his own hand.

After a great deal of hesitation, she agrees to perform an autopsy on Savage and finds that natural causes or suicide are not the case at all. Add to this, another plot where her significant other, Army Ranger Xander Whitfield, is pulled into a case involving a search for a missing child whose disappearance may be connected to the death of Mr. Savage, and the story blows up. When Homicide Detective Darren Fletcher arrives, anything and everything boils to the top.

Full of carefully mastered clues that tie both cases together, this is a true thrillfest that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end." —Mary Lignor, Professional Librarian & Co-Owner of The Write Companion

"Dr. Samantha (Sam) Owens is an expert forensic pathologist the FBI would love to have working for them. After turning down their job offer, Sam wants nothing more than a normal life teaching at Georgetown University. She's deeply in love and building a life with Xander Whitfield, a former Army Ranger, and content with her decisions. That contentment crumples when she receives a strange letter from a man named Timothy Savage begging her to solve his murder, even though his recent death has been ruled a suicide.

Things become even more bizarre when Savage's will names Sam as executor, as well as a benefactor, compelling her to autopsy his body to learn the truth. Her findings verify his death was murder, not suicide, but there's also foreign DNA on him that belongs to a girl who was found dead years ago. That's impossible, or is it?

Each step taken in the investigation turns up even more questions. Who is [Timothy] Savage, and how did he know he was going to be killed? How did he get a dead girl's DNA on his body? Is the DNA wrong? The mystery unfolds and intensifies with many shocking twists and turns leading to a totally incredible conclusion.

J.T. Ellison's WHEN SHADOWS FALL is a cleverly devised forensic thriller with multifaceted characters and a compelling storyline. Even though it's part of a series, WHEN SHADOWS FALL is an excellent stand-alone novel giving all the background information that's needed for its total enjoyment. Ellison is a master-craftsman at developing superb forensic thrillers!" —Tanzey Cutter

EDGE OF BLACK (Samantha Owens #2)

Romantic Times Top Pick

"A biological attack on the Washington, D.C., subway system propels Ellison’s suspenseful second Samantha Owens novel (after A Deeper Darkness). Former medical examiner Sam has moved from Nashville, Tenn., to the nation’s capital, where she’s a guest lecturer at George Washington University. When a female student mysteriously passes out in class, Sam takes her to the ER only to discover that the student is just one of the victims of a biological agent released into the Metro. Only three people actually die as a result of this possible terrorist attack. Sam winds up working diligently with Det. Darren Fletcher, a member of the task force investigating the crime, to find the culprit, who Sam’s boyfriend, former Army Ranger Xander Whitfield, believes may have a peculiarly personal motive for the attack. The action builds to a breathtaking conclusion as Sam, Fletch, and Xander seek the connections among the three victims, from the inner circles of D.C. to the wilds of Colorado." -Publishers Weekly

"Ellison delivers another outstanding crime thriller that plays on many of a reader's emotions: fear, love, hate and shock among them. It's obvious from the first page that this is a master at work. Samantha is such a great character that Ellison can be forgiven for not writing another Taylor Jackson. Fans of Michael Connelly or Patricia Cornwell should consider Ellison essential reading." -Romantic Times (Top Pick!)

A DEEPER DARKNESS (Samantha Owens #1)

RT Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best Thriller/Suspense

A May 2012 Indie Next Pick

Publisher's Weekly Pick of the Week (April 16, 2012)

Romantic Times Top Pick

"Thriller Award–winner Ellison (Where All the Dead Lie) introduces Dr. Samantha Owens, Tennessee’s head medical examiner, in this scintillating first in a new forensic series. Sam, still reeling from the loss of her husband and young children in a flood two years earlier, receives a desperate phone call from Eleanor Donovan, the mother of a boy she dated at medical school in Georgetown, security consultant Eddie Donovan. Eddie, a former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan, was shot dead in an apparent carjacking, but Eleanor, convinced her son wasn’t a random victim, implores Sam to come to Washington, D.C., to conduct a second autopsy. Once in D.C., obsessive-compulsive Sam must face the demons of Eddie’s memory and his widow’s resentment. Meanwhile, other former members of Eddie’s Ranger unit start turning up dead. The suspenseful plot takes many a twist and turn before reaching its startling conclusion." -Publishers Weekly

"Ellison's latest focuses on medical examiner Samantha Owens, and readers will quickly realize they don't miss Taylor Jackson at all. A gut-wrenching tale that rings with emotional resonance and heart amidst the thrills, A DEEPER DARKNESS ranks as Ellison's best book yet. Her amazing streak of great thrillers continues." Romantic Times Top Pick

"While the newest bead in Ellison’s string of superlative works, it’s her most ambitious --- and clearly best --- book to date. Ellison once again demonstrates a wide range of expert knowledge of forensics and, in this case, insider knowledge of the governmental environs of Washington, D.C.... If A DEEPER DARKNESS is the launch point for a second series, Ellison should have no problem attracting readers to both." -Bookreporter

"Tightly plotted and often surprising, this story drew me in and wouldn't let go. A gem!” -Keri Rojas, Cornerstone Cottage Kids, Hampton, May Indie Next Pick

"A DEEPER DARKNESS has everything I love in a thriller: stunning twists and shocks, fascinating forensics, and heroines I deeply cared about. JT Ellison is one of the best writers in the game." -Tess Gerritsen, NYT bestselling author of THE SILENT GIRL

"A DEEPER DARKNESS is not only a compelling thriller but a multilayered meditation on grief and loss. Dr. Samantha Owens is a forensic investigator with heart and soul and this is the start of a most promising new series for rising star JT Ellison." -Jeff Abbott, NYT bestselling Author of ADRENALINE

"Intense and riveting, A DEEPER DARKNESS is JT Ellison at her finest. Dr. Samantha Owens is one of the most memorable and engaging characters in thriller fiction today. I want more Sam! JT Ellison is a master storyteller, and ultimately A DEEPER DARKNESS is an extraordinary story of life and hope. Superb!" -Carla Neggers, NYT bestselling author of Saint's Gate

"A Deeper Darkness hits all the right notes: terrific characters, great setting, fast pace and fascinating storyline. Dark and compelling, rich with authentic detail, I couldn’t put it down. Look out Kay Scarpetta, there’s a new medical examiner on the block." -Erica Spindler, NYT bestselling author of WATCH ME DIE

"A Deeper Darkness is everything a great thriller should be: clever, complex, and captivating. J.T. Ellison’s gripping new series is a winner!" -Allison Brennan, NYT bestselling author of SILENCED

WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE (Taylor Jackson #7)

Nominated for the RWA RITA® Award for Best Romantic Suspense 2012

Romantic Times Top Pick

"Ellison deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Lisa Gardner and Tess Gerritsen. Her latest novel examines life after experiencing a traumatic event while also ripping raw the feelings of grief, fear and loneliness. Ellison is a genius and should be mandatory reading for any thriller aficionado."~ Romantic Times, 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick!

"The growing suspense will keep readers glued..." -Publishers Weekly

"JT Ellison gets her Hitchcock on, expertly ratcheting up the tension, twisting her finely honed plot, and just plain messing with her characters' heads until the superbly explosive end. Not to be missed!" -Lisa Gardner, #1 NYT bestselling author of LOVE YOU MORE

"WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE is riveting! J.T. Ellison is in top form with this stunning novel of psychological suspense. Atmospheric, emotional, eerie and impossible to put down." -Carla Neggers, NYT bestselling author of SAINT'S GATE

"This is one of those novels that grips you from the very first page. Excellent and intriguing with full blown characters that come alive. It's a novel not to be missed." -Heather Graham, NYT bestselling author of GHOST WALK

SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH (Taylor Jackson #6)

Romantic Times Top Pick

"Ellison’s sixth novel featuring homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson is arguably her best book to date. A tense thrill ride filled with secrets, raw emotion and death, newcomers will love it as much as her longtime fans. After completing this one, you will scream for the next book." -Romantic Times, 4 1/2 Stars TOP PICK!

"SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH is a terrific piece of fiction from the shocking first page to the exquisite, staggering end. The talented J.T. Ellison designs a complex plot with multifarious characters who will chill you and make you glad you are reading fiction safely in a cozy spot." -Fresh Fiction

THE IMMORTALS (Taylor Jackson #5)

Starred Review from Publishers Weekly

"Ellison's outstanding fifth Taylor Jackson thriller (after February 2010's The Cold Room) pits the homicide cop against a killer in league with the dark side. On Halloween, the day Jackson gets her lieutenant's badge back after being unjustly demoted, somebody ritualistically murders eight teens in one of Nashville's tonier neighborhoods. Jackson could use the help of her fiancé, FBI profiler John Baldwin, but he's been called back to Quantico to face a disciplinary investigation after another agent's files implicate him in a badly mishandled case. Jackson and her crackerjack team are left on their own to systematically locate and analyze every clue. The police procedural details never get in the way of the potent characterization and clever plotting, and Ellison systematically cranks up the intensity all the way to the riveting ending." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

THE COLD ROOM (Taylor Jackson #4)

ITW Thriller Award Winner - Best Paperback Original of 2010

Romantic Times Top Pick

“Flawlessly plotted, with well-defined characters and conflict, Ellison’s latest is quite simply a gem.” -Romantic Times Top Pick

“THE COLD ROOM combines SILENCE OF THE LAMBS with THE WIRE.” -January Magazine

“Gritty and realistic and filled with intense action.” -Midwest Book Review

JUDAS KISS (Taylor Jackson #3)

Starred Review from Publishers Weekly

“Carefully orchestrated plot twists and engrossing characters combine in Ellison's explosive third Lt. Taylor Jackson investigation (after 2008's 14). Nashville homicide investigator Taylor is called to the scene of a disturbing murder: beautiful, pregnant Corrine Wolff, brutally beaten in front of her young daughter. Signs point to Corinne's husband, Todd, but Taylor has her doubts. When she learns that the Wolffs were making and distributing amateur pornography, other investigators in her office turn up old X-rated footage of Taylor that could destroy her career and her engagement to FBI agent John Baldwin. Meanwhile, an old enemy of John's has resurfaced and is intent on revenge. The story moves at breakneck speed, seamlessly flowing from Taylor's world into John's until they intersect for electrifying results. Flawed yet identifiable characters and genuinely terrifying villains populate this impressive and arresting thriller." -Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Ellison has a flair for the macabre shared by few writers." -Romantic Times (4 1/2 Stars)

“Nashville's homicide Lieutenant Taylor Jackson is back in a third thrilling novel with a murder that will have your head spinning. Her fiancé', FBI profile Baldwin, is hot on the trail of another killer that will connect to the high profile criminal, the Pretender, who we watched like a train-wreck in the previous book, 14. This is a thrilling roller-coaster ride...very complex but likeable characters and a plot that twists and turns, leaving you breathless and stunned at its climax. If your looking for an edge-of-your-seat thriller, then pick up a copy today. You won't be disappointed." -Romance Junkies (4 1/2 Blue Ribbons)

"With a heartbreaking opening and a heart-stopping conclusion, J.T. Ellison's third novel is at times disturbing, at times titillating, and from start to finish a fast-paced pleasure to read." -Steven Steinbock, The Strand Magazine

“14 is a twisty creepy and wonderful book... Ellison is relentless and grabs the reader from the first page and refuses to let go until the soul tearing climax.” -Crimespree

"Ellison's second Taylor Jackson story is precisely plotted and crisply written, and there are several effective twists. It's guaranteed to elicit shivers with its cold-blooded, sociopathic villain--and to keep readers on edge until the last page." -Romantic Times (4 1/2 Stars)

“J.T. Ellison's 14 holds up against any top drawer suspense novel. The title refers to the number of people slain in the serial killings. Troubling, though, is the fact that 10 of the murders were committed in the 1980s by an unidentified serial slayer designated as "The Snow White Killer." When an additional four bodies, replete with the serial killer's signature, appear now, the question is whether the long dormant Snow White killer has returned or whether the recent murders are the handiwork of a similarly depraved copycat. Nashville Homicide Lieutenant Taylor Jackson lands and solves the case, but not without chilling challenges along the way. You won't want to read this when you're home alone at night, but you will want to read it.” -Mystery Scene

“14 is right on par with her spectacular debut, ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS. With bold characters, a breathtaking pace and a gob of clever twists, 14 is unbelievably brilliant. The characters, the plotting and the relentless action are meticulously drawn. . . Ms. Ellison is on her way to becoming a major new talent.” -Romance Reader at Heart (RRAH) Top Pick

“With just two titles released, J.T. Ellison has proven herself to be one of the best new thriller authors out there. Her characters are solid and her plots are refreshingly original - and what a great ending!” -BookBitch

“A nail-biting sequel to her debut novel, All the Pretty Girls. If you're a fan of the genre, you'll love 14.” -BookPage

“A Shakespearean tragedy.” -The Tennessean

“Thrills and chills, unexpected twists and turns, and enough scary bits to keep you awake long into the night make 14 a sure-fire winner. Don’t miss it.” -Romance Reviews Today

ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS (Taylor Jackson #1 – Ellison’s debut novel)

"With this debut thriller, Ellison puts her mentoring by Lee Child to good use. Ellison does a nice job of laying the groundwork and creating suspense. Equally well done are the refreshingly realistic procedural details." -Library Journal

"Ellison does a skillful job of capturing the city and its flavors, while taking the police procedural out of its usual New York/Los Angeles/Chicago big-city milieu and placing it in a mid-sized, vibrant Southern city. She's populated her novel with believable players, on both sides of the law." -BookPage

"Ellison's debut novel is relentlessly paced and intricately plotted – and it features a villain who will have readers looking over the shoulders, even in the daylight." -Romantic Times (4 Stars)

"Although Nashville is the site where all the action occurs in J.T. Ellison's strong mystery novel . . . the style, tone, careful thematic development and character interaction share many things with works set in other cities. [All the Pretty Girls] has the attention to detail, unexpected twists and puzzles that are vital to topflight crime fiction." -Nashville City Paper

"Ellison paints a disturbing picture of a deranged serial killer, and the atmosphere of the book is taut, tense and suspenseful. The author's other forte is characterization . . . TV reporter Whitney Connolly leaps off the page, as does her twin sister, Belle Meade socialite Quinn Buckley. Even the murdered girls are quite vivid in the short time the reader has with them. Realistic descriptions of Nashville landmarks . . . add to the pleasure of reading this book. For the erudite, poetry snippets offer clues from the savage killer. The best part of All the Pretty Girls, though, is it's breathless pace." -The Tennessean

"A taut, striking debut. Crime fiction has a new name to watch." -John Connolly, NY Times bestselling author of THE BLACK ANGEL and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS

"J.T. Ellison's debut novel rocks. Darkly compelling and thoroughly chilling, with rich characterization and a well-layered plot, ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS is everything a great crime thriller should be." -Allison Brennan, NY Times bestselling author of SEE NO EVIL

"Fast-paced and creepily believable, Ellison's novel proves that there is still room in the genre for new authors and new cops." -M.J. Rose, International bestselling author of THE VENUS FIX

"Taylor Jackson is a fresh portrayal of a cop with a serial killer to catch. Creepy thrills from start to finish." -James O. Born, author of BURN ZONE

"ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS is a spellbinding suspense novel and Tennessee has a new dark poet." -Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar finalist and author of ALL MORTAL FLESH

"ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS could well put Ellison and Taylor Jackson on the track to become to Nashville what Laura Lippman and Tess Monaghan are to Baltimore." -Tasha Alexander, author of AND ONLY TO DECEIVE

J.T. Ellison, New York Times Bestselling Author

Welcome to the online home of New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison, author of the Taylor Jackson and Samantha Owens thrillers, and co-author of the Nicholas Drummond "Brit in the FBI" thrillers with #1 NYT Bestselling author Catherine Coulter.